Over time, the natural aging process can cause a woman's breasts to sag and lose their shape. A breast lift, or mastopexy, is a surgical procedure that reshapes and cosmetically alters a woman's breasts. After the procedure, women can expect firmer, more shapely and youthful looking breasts.

The Surgery

In the most common procedure, the surgeon makes an anchor shaped incision along the natural contour of the breast. Working through this incision, the surgeon sculpts the excess skin and tissue and repositions the nipple to give the breast a new and youthful appearance. To finish the firming and shaping, the skin is pulled snugly around the new nipple and the surgeon stitches the incisions. A mastoplexy can be performed using either a local or general anesthesia and is usually done on an outpatient basis.

Alternative Procedures

A "doughnut mastopexy" can also be performed, which requires less tissue removal and involves a much quicker recovery time. In this procedure, the surgeon executes circular incisions around the areola, and a doughnut shaped area of skin is removed.

After Surgery

Once the surgery is completed, the incisions are dressed in gauze and the breasts are wrapped in an elastic bandage. In a day or two, the bandage is replaced with a fitted surgical bra. Patients may be bruised and swollen, although medication eases much of this discomfort. Patients can expect to have their stitches removed and return to work quickly, within one to two weeks.

Health Concerns

As with most cosmetic surgery, complications are rare, but include excessive bleeding, infections, and a reaction to the anesthesia. If you smoke, your surgeon will most likely ask that you stop two weeks prior to and following the operation. Other concerns include unevenly positioned nipples and a temporary or permanent loss of feeling in your breasts. To maximize the success of surgery and minimize the risk of complication, always follow your doctor's instructions for surgical preparation and postoperative care.